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How much did you work? Given how little waiters make, it seems like you'd have to work something close to full time to get by, especially with enough excess to

How much did you work? Given how little waiters make, it seems like you'd have to work something close to full time to get by, especially with enough excess to cover travel, which makes it no more free than a real job, but making less and doing less interesting stuff. Now, consulting 5-10 hours a week (or a few months a year) while enjoying yourself and traveling could be appealing.

mikeryan 16y ago
It really depends on where you work but waiters make pretty decent money (for a 20 something) - and its all cash. You get payed minimum wage in CA but that just about covers the amount you need to pay in taxes. I'd work about 25 hours a week and get about $20 in a paycheck every 2 weeks. You really end up not paying much in taxes (I'd guess closer to 15% then the 30-40% you'd end up paying salaried) so the money you make goes further. I worked at Bucks in Woodside CA, which is actually a bit notorious with the Sand Hill VC crowd. If you needed to you could make rent in a weekend by picking up extra shifts. Then the rest is cash. I mainly worked nights and could pick up some other work during the day if I needed to. When I wanted to travel I'd slam out about 2 months of serious work and do fine for a few weeks of travel. You also get to know people in the industry so I could take time off and pretty easily find a job when I got back. I definitely made more money waiting tables 25 hours a week then my first two 40hr positions salaried. But hey consulting would be a good way to go too.